Why this matters now
Painting is tested for the mural sites (Ajanta, Bagh, Sittanavasal), the miniature schools and their distinguishing styles (Mughal vs Rajput vs Pahari), and the modern figures (Bengal School, Raja Ravi Varma).
The mural tradition
The earliest surviving paintings are murals on cave walls: the Buddhist masterpieces of Ajanta (Jataka tales), the related Bagh caves (Madhya Pradesh), and the Jain murals of Sittanavasal (Tamil Nadu). These employed the fresco technique and a rich palette from natural pigments.
Miniature schools
From the medieval period, small, detailed miniature paintings flourished:
| School | Features |
|---|---|
| Pala | Earliest miniatures, on palm-leaf Buddhist manuscripts (eastern India) |
| Mughal | Persian + Indian synthesis; courtly themes, portraits, realism; peaked under Akbar-Jahangir |
| Rajput/Rajasthani | Hindu themes (Krishna, Ragamala); bold colour; many sub-schools (Mewar, Bundi, Kishangarh) |
| Pahari | Himalayan foothills; lyrical, delicate (Kangra, Basohli) |
| Deccan | Deccan sultanates; rich colour, Persian-Turkish influence |
The modern revival
In the colonial era, Raja Ravi Varma fused European realism with Indian mythological themes and popularised art through oleographs. The Bengal School, led by Abanindranath Tagore (and inspired by E.B. Havell), reacted against Western academic art to forge a swadeshi, distinctly Indian idiom — a key cultural strand of the nationalist movement.
UPSC angle
Separate murals (Ajanta/Bagh/Sittanavasal) from miniatures; distinguish Mughal (realist, court) vs Rajput (Hindu themes, bold colour) vs Pahari (lyrical, Kangra). Bengal School = swadeshi modern revival.
Frequently asked questions
What are the major mural sites in India?
Ajanta (Buddhist), the Bagh caves (Madhya Pradesh) and Sittanavasal (Jain, Tamil Nadu).
What is the difference between Mughal and Rajput painting?
Mughal painting is realist and courtly with Persian influence; Rajput/Rajasthani painting depicts Hindu religious themes with bold colour.
What is Pahari painting?
A lyrical, delicate miniature tradition from the Himalayan foothills, with famous sub-schools at Kangra and Basohli.
What was the Bengal School of painting?
A modern movement led by Abanindranath Tagore that rejected Western academic styles to create a distinctly Indian, nationalist art idiom.